One year ago.

Theatre.

Many of you may know that Musical Theatre was a HUGE part of my life for about 8 years. I studied at a prestigious theatre program 3-4 days a week, and was in multiple productions. I wanted to be a Broadway star and was doing everything I could to get there.

I planned on majoring in Musical Theatre, had an audition coach, had a repertoire book, headshot/resume, had my list of schools together, and had everything planned out.

But that's the funny thing. God had a different plan.

He changed my mind about two weeks before applications opened for colleges.

My youth pastor, when I was a sophomore, asked me one day what my plan for college was. Strangely, I replied "seminary". I had never even thought about ministry. My mind was completely set on Musical Theatre. I knew, then, that the Lord was changing my heart.

Junior year was filled with craziness. I was insanely busy, constantly running from one activity to the next. I can remember asking the Lord to give me wisdom as to what I needed to do for college. Once dance concert was over, I went to youth group on Wednesday nights. Little did I know how this would help me.

2013 was an amazing summer. I went to Nicaragua on a mission trip and really found an amazing leader in Coach Rodden, who was not afraid to call me out on things. It was also the first summer that I was able to go to Rushweek since the very first trip. We went to Branson, MO, and I was on a worship team. We traveled around the city putting on concerts and leading worship at churches, VBS, and parties. I loved getting to lead worship and talk to the people after concerts to hear their hearts. I loved seeing people leave changed.

During worship one night at Rushweek, my best friend, Marissa, came over and told me she needed prayer for a situation in her life. I told her I did too. This was the first time I had ever told someone I didn't think musical theatre was for me. She covered me in prayer and I had peace for the first time in a long time.

I went home filled, but completely confused. What was I going to major in? How was I going to tell everyone? What colleges was I going to apply to?

I got on my knees and begged the Lord to give me answers. That's when faces of the Nicaraguan children popped in my mind. As I was filled with amazing memories, I realized that the children that I had become friends with all had some sort of disability. Thinking back to my own life, I had a speech impediment. My kindergarten teacher helped me to learn how to speak correctly. I am so thankful that I went through middle and high school unafraid to speak because I knew I was speaking correctly. It was nice to not have those awkward phases include speech problems.

So, I started looking into becoming a Speech Pathologist. I wanted to help kids learn how to speak normally, which would make their lives easier. I wanted to give parents a hand and a hope that their child would be okay. I realized my ministry that I felt called to would be helping kids and parents alike through speech issues and giving hope and love to them. Within 40 hours of being home from these two trips, I had decided on new colleges to apply to and a new major.

How it all happened? I only have one answer, the Lord. He completely guided my steps. It's weird to have gone almost a whole year without being in a rehearsal for a show, after seven and a half years of constant rehearsals, classes, and shows. However, I've been given the gift of time. I no longer am spending over 10 hours a week at a studio. I am not having to skip out on life events because of rehearsal. I am able to live in the now. I am able to breathe.

Today marks one year since I've stepped on stage and performed in a show. I miss it. I miss that adrenaline rush before stepping on stage. I miss the rehearsal process and all it encompassed. However, I know that the Lord has a greater plan than me.

The sweet part is that my sister was nominated for Miss Auburn, which means that she gets to run on a platform and have people support her until the school votes on the winner.

She chose to run on a platform that focuses on the creative/visual arts on Auburn's campus. This past week has been a huge celebration of the creative minds on campus. I've had an outlet to talk theatre, music, and dance with people. We had an event that included artwork from Auburn students, music played/sung/danced to all by Auburn students. I've found myself smiling more because I am surrounded by people who love the arts as much as I do. It's glorious.

So even though today is a hard, emotional day for me, it is a sweet day filled with joy and celebration. It is a day that reminds me why I chose to go a different route. It is a day that the Lord has made.

Catherine and I at her event on Friday